Looking back at this year, it‘s a true gift when I get to see the fruit of my labor. But that‘s not always the case. And it’s hard not always seeing the fruit. It’s hard not knowing if sharing the gospel with someone, ever led to salvation. If something I felt prompted to say, ever impacted someone. If a word of encouragement put on my heart, ever meant anything. If an act of kindness, ever made someone see the world and their purpose differently. If my simple obedience made any difference at all. If these past 2 months have taught me anything, it’s that God uses our simple obedience, whether we get the gift of seeing the fruit or not.
In Kyrgyzstan, I met a girl named Ally. Ally was invited to English Club 3 months prior to our team being there. She was invited by a group of Americans doing exactly what we were there to do — partner with this ministry host and invite people to this English Club with the hope of connecting them with the Christian community there. Ally was not a believer at that point, but through simple obedience of the American team inviting her to English Club, she came. This led to someone at the ministry building a friendship with her, eventually sharing the gospel with her, and she is now a believer. She now gets to experience a lifetime of fullness and joy with Jesus. During my time there, we became great friends. I got to be there when she got baptized, we got to share our testimonies with each other, and we got to make lots of fun memories together. But really, she encouraged me that what we’re doing, matters. My simple obedience, matters. And I think we’re all just pieces of God’s puzzle, called to be obedient, without needing to know why.
Here in India, 95% of the population is unreached with the gospel, with 80% of the population identifying as Hindu’s. We have been living in a town named Sielmat in the state of Manipur which is in Northeast India. Over 100 years ago, a missionary from Welsh came to this area of the country with a copy of the gospel of John. One man who was a part of the Mar tribe, became a believer after receiving the gospel. Now, 99% of the Mar tribe (~100,000 people) are Christian. Now, there is a Christian school here that sings worship and praise songs to God in their school. Now, there are churches around every corner. Now, there is a seminary school with students studying to be missionaries themselves. Generations have been changed because God used one man’s simple obedience. Like whaaaattttt?!?!?! AMEN!
As the end of the race draws near, I don’t completely know what’s next for me. I know that God has laid a calling on my heart years ago, and I’ve promised to Him I will be obedient when he calls me to go, stay or wait. So I’ll reference my very first blog…1 year later…and say that I know his ways are higher than my ways. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. His plans are better than any plans I could make for myself. And if I’ve learned anything this year (and I think I’ve learned a lot!), it’s that God will use me when I remain obedient. Whether it makes sense or not, whether it seems big or small, whether it’s now or in 5 years, whether I’m sharing my testimony at Panera in Lockport or I move across the world to serve in another country, my simple obedience matters.
Although I think God is calling me to go…I think He is first calling me to wait. So as of November 26th, I’ll be in America for at least the next 6 months (unless something wild happens ya know…God just does that sometimes)! But as of now, America here I come!
I hope I get to catch up with each of you reading this, and hopefully get to share more stories from this year with you! Message me and let me know if you want to grab coffee, a meal, workout, play some volleyball (I’m rusty for sure), go hiking…anything!
And just an extra thank you to everyone who has supported me prayerfully and financially this year. It’s been a beautiful, wild ride. And I wouldn’t be here without your support. So thank you for being obedient, and playing a part in allowing me to have this incredible experience this year.
Love,
Meg
